Vehicle Front End Air Duct Layout for Low-Drag Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing front end parts of motor vehicles face issues with increased drag coefficient due to protruding protective elements during low-speed impacts, which can cause air swirling and compromise pedestrian safety and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A front end part design featuring closure elements that are flush with the outer skin in the closed position, forming an air duct with the protective element, which reduces drag by guiding airflow around the vehicle and prevents component detachment during low-speed impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective element protrudes from the outer skin element to prevent component detachment during impact, then pedestrian safety is improved, but air swirling occurs and the drag coefficient deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is positioned in the longitudinal dimension (protruding forward) to protect against impact, while the air duct utilizes the transverse dimension (lateral space between protective element and outer skin) to guide airflow. This dimensional separation allows the protective function to operate in one dimension without interfering with the aerodynamic function in another dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the protective element and the outer skin element. It provides a controlled pathway for airflow, preventing direct interaction between the protruding protective element and the incoming air stream, thereby eliminating air swirling while maintaining pedestrian protection.
2Reliability
If the closure element is arranged offset from the outer skin in the longitudinal direction, then pedestrian protection is improved, but air swirling occurs and drag coefficient deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is positioned offset in the longitudinal dimension to provide pedestrian protection, while the air duct utilizes the available transverse space to guide airflow laterally. This dimensional arrangement allows the closure element to protrude without creating air swirling, as the airflow is directed through the lateral air duct passage rather than being disrupted by the longitudinal offset.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the closure element is arranged flush with the outer skin in the closed position, then drag coefficient is reduced, but protection during oblique impact may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to be movable between a closed position (flush with outer skin for optimal aerodynamics) and an open position (protruding for enhanced protection). The dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize for drag reduction during normal operation while providing protective functionality when needed, resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic performance and impact protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a low drag coefficient and enhanced pedestrian safety by eliminating air swirling and ensuring closure elements remain intact during impacts, while maintaining effective airflow and cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The front end part outer skin element and the protective element, arranged in front of the front end part outer skin element in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, delimit an air duct
Implementation Method 2
The design achieves a low drag coefficient and enhanced pedestrian safety by eliminating air swirling
Implementation Method 3
the closure devices have a plurality of pivotable closure elements which can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position
Implementation Method 4
air can flow to a radiator or to a brake that is to be cooled
Implementation Method 5
a radiator or to a brake that is to be cooled
Data Source
AI summary
A front end part is for a motor vehicle. The front end part has: a front end part outer skin element, which has an air inlet opening, the air passage opening being closeable by a closure device, the closure device having a closure element, which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position; and a protective element, which is arranged adjacent to the air inlet opening in a transverse direction of the motor vehicle and projects in front of the front end part outer skin element in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The closure element in the closed position is arranged flush with the front end part outer skin element. The front end part outer skin element and the protective element, arranged in front of the front end part outer skin element in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, delimit an air duct.